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Moscow - a brief overwiew

Moscow

The capital of Russia has seen some tumultuous times in its 1,000-year history: the rise and fall of tsars, usurpers and sieges, empires and revolution. All this history has left an indelible mark on the city by the Moskva River. In the centre, the onion domes of Orthodox churches jostle for space with Russian baroque department stores and austere Soviet towers.

But Moscow is no musty museum piece – behind the history is a fast-paced modern metropolis, with shopping, nightlife and dining to rival any European capital. Start the day at the Kremlin and finish the night with champagne and caviar and tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet. Mixing leisure with culture is the Russian way.

Flight and accommodation

Top 10 sights in Moscow

The Kremlin

Moscow’s most famous sight is almost a city within a city. Behind the towering walls of the Kremlin are elegant cathedrals, stately palaces and museums dripping with unimaginable riches, as well as the offices of the Russian government.

Red Square

Red Square, (Krasnaya Ploshad) 103012 Moscow Russia Show on map

The vast size of Red Square only becomes apparent when you step out onto the cobbles. Even towering St Basil’s Cathedral looks like a paperweight in this expansive setting. Come in May for bombastic military parades, or just join the promenading crowds.

St Basil’s Cathedral

Looking more like a wedding cake built by an eccentric sweet-maker, Russia’s most famous place of worship has pride of place in Red Square. The exterior is topped by fantasy towers and candy-colour domes, while the interior is adorned with lavish frescoes.

Novodevichy Convent & Cemetery

The cemetery attached to this UNESCO-listed convent is the final resting place of some of Russia’s most famous citizens, including Anton Chekhov, Nikita Khrushchev and Boris Yeltsin. As well as famous graves, don’t miss the ornate frescoes inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Smolensk.

Bolshoi Theatre

Even if you fail to secure tickets for a live show, touring the Bolshoi Theatre, the official home of the legendary Bolshoi Ballet Company, is almost mandatory when visiting Moscow. Take a behind-the-scenes tour and see the stage where Swan Lake premiered in 1877.

Tretyakov State Gallery

Pre-Revolutionary art is the focus at this famous gallery, which preserves the world’s finest collection of Russian Orthodox icons. Also on display is work from the groundbreaking Peredvizhniki movement, pioneers of Russian realism.

Gorky Park

Less menacing than the spy novels would have you believe, this sprawling park is a favourite summer hangout for Muscovites, with cafés, bars, shady walkways, gaudy fairground rides and calming river views.

Sanduny Baths

The grandest place in Moscow to take a bath, this elegant banya (bathhouse) was constructed in 1808, and the steam baths still pull in daily crowds. Celebrities from Alexander Pushkin to Roman Abramovich have all come here to let off steam.

Winzavod

Moscow’s answer to the Meatpacking District, this dynamic modern art centre sprawls across seven vast industrial buildings. Inside the hanger-like halls are artists’ studios, galleries, cafés and bars, and some of Moscow’s most atmospheric exhibition spaces.

Flight and accommodation

Country information

Country overview

Russia is at once breathtaking, baffling and stunningly beautiful. Monumental in every respect, it’s a land where untamed wilderness sits alongside bustling urban centres, and adventure lurks around every corner. From imperial splendour to icy Siberian tundra and from time-worn Soviet-era monuments to über-hip urban culture, Russia is a land of contradiction and superlatives.

For the first time in its history, Russia is now wide open for foreign visitors to experience, and exploration beyond Moscow and St Petersburg is well advised. The Golden Ring, a collection of ancient gems, transports the traveller back to a bygone age.

Geography

The Russian Federation covers almost twice the area of the USA, and reaches from the enclave of Kaliningrad in the west over the Urals and the vast Siberian plains to the Sea of Okhotsk in the east. The border between European Russia and Siberia (Asia) is formed by the Ural Mountains, the Ural River and the Manych Depression. All in all Russia has 16 international borders with countries including Finland, Lithuania, USA, Japan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and China.

European Russia extends from the North Polar Sea across the Central Russian Uplands to the Black Sea, the Northern Caucasus and the Caspian Sea. Siberia stretches from the West Siberian Plain across the Central Siberian Plateau to the Lena River and takes in the Sayan and Yablonovy ranges in the south.

East of Siberia stretches the Russian Far East, a region almost as big as Siberia itself, running to the Pacific coast and including the vast Chukotka and Kamchatka peninsulas.

Given the vast size of the country, Russia’s terrain is hugely variable. From the Siberian tundra to the mountains of the Urals, the beaches on the Black Sea coast, and the plains of western Russia, such variable geography means one can experience many different Russias.

General knowledge

Key facts

Population: 142500482

Population Density (per sq km): 8

Capital: Moscow.

Language

Russian is the official language, although there are over 100 other languages. English is widely spoken by younger people as well as some educated older people.

Flight and accommodation

2 Airports in Moscow

Getting around

Public Transport

The most atmospheric way to explore the Russian capital is on the Moscow Metro (tel: (495) 688 0293; www.mosmetro.ru); fares are cheap, trains run to every corner of the city and the marble and chandelier-filled stations are works of art in themselves. Tickets are sold in stations; buy a multi-ride smart card to avoid the queues. Above ground, buses, trams and marshrutka (shared minibuses) zip between the suburbs and the centre, but routes can be confusing; buy tickets from the driver, from metro stations, or from ticket booths at bus stops.

Taxis

Taking a taxi in Moscow can be an expensive business, and that’s before you consider Moscow’s notorious traffic jams. It’s best to phone ahead for an official taxi, rather than taking your chances in Moscow’s vast fleet of unofficial taxis; reputable companies include Welcome Taxi (tel: (499) 553 0158) and New Yellow Taxi (tel: (495) 940 8888). Locals generally do not tip.

Flight and accommodation

Calendar of events

Maslenitsa (Blini Day)

20 – 27 February 2015

Venue: Various locations around Moscow.

Maslenitsa is a blend of pagan beliefs and Christian traditions and is the Russian equivalent of Mardi Gras – the last period for feasting before the fasting of the traditional Lent season. Blini are a type of Russian pastry or doughnut which is frequently eaten smothered in jam, honey or other sweet foodstuffs. Maslenitsa lasts for up to one week ending on Shrove Tuesday or ‘Blini Day’. Many Muscovites visit the Blini Village in Red Square which is a great place to soak up the unique flavour of this popular cultural and religious celebration.

Women's Day

8 March 2015

Venue: Throughout Russia.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is an internationally recognised celebration of women and their social, economic and political achievements. In Russia, the demonstrations that marked International Women’s Day created a sea of change that kick-started the Russian Revolution of 1917. To commemorate the day’s historic importance it is now a public holidayin Russia. However, rather than staging political protests the day has a more sentimental slant, with husbands and sons showing their love for the ladies in their lives.

Paskha (Easter)

12 April 2015

Venue: Churches across Moscow.

The main holiday of the Russian Orthodox Church, when Russians end 40 days of fasting with midnight church services and a feast of special cakes.

Victory Day

9 May 2015

Venue: Red Square.

Each year on 9 May Russia celebrates Victory Day which commemorates the defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War. The German army signed the surrender terms on 8 May 1945 with peace officially taking effect the following day on 9 May. But peace did not come without huge loss of life on both sides and the day is also a way of remembering the many people that lost their lives during the conflict. Known as VE Day in most of Europe, Victory Day is celebrated in a grand way in Moscow with lavish ceremonies and a military parade in Red Square. The ceremony is usually attended by several prominent world leaders and the occasion closes with a fireworks display.

Moscow International Film Festival

Muscovites celebrate more than 100 years of Russian cinema with screenings of new and classic films at theatres all over Moscow.

Russian Independence Day

12 June 2015

Venue: Red Square.

Russia declared its sovereignty on 12 June 1990 as a way of distancing itself from the crumbling Soviet Union. The following year when the Soviet Union was formerly broken up, Boris Yeltsin came to power and declared 12 June Russian Independence Day and a national holiday. But it was not until over a decade later in 2003 under the presidency of Vladimir Putin that the day became a grand parade. Now each year on 12 June there is a big celebration and parade at Moscow’s Red Square.

All information subject to change. Please check the dates on the relevant event organizer’s website.

Flight and accommodation

Hotels in Moscow

ListMap

Bargains are sparse in über-expensive Moscow, but grand hotels are in steady supply. The most prestigious addresses are close to Red Square and the Kremlin, where caviar and champagne breakfasts are de rigueur.

For cheaper accommodation, head to the suburbs and commute to the centre on the Moscow Metro.

Ritz Carlton

Tverskaya ulitsa 3 125009 Moscow Russia Show on map

Category: Expensive

Every imaginable luxury is on offer at this grand hotel, with lavish designer interiors and views across to the Kremlin from the rooftop terrace.

Climate and best time to visit Moscow

It pays to consider the weather when planning a trip to Moscow. Winters are bitterly cold, and even a furry ushanka hat may not be enough to ward off the chill from November to February. In contrast, summers are warm and sultry, and many Muscovites escape to their dachas (summer houses) in the countryside. The ideal time to visit is spring or autumn, when the crowds are smaller and prices are lower. The cultural calendar, however, runs year round. Mid-winter sees ice sculptures in Red Square and sophisticated performances for the December Nights festival, while May is marked by dramatic parades for the Victory Day and May Day celebrations.

Climate & best time to visit Russia

As you’d expect Russia’s climate is hugely dependent on where in the country you find yourself. With temperatures known to hit a tarmac-melting 37°C (99°F) in the cities and fall to -30°C (-22°F) and lower during the Siberian winter, there’s no point generalising about Russia’s weather except to say, be prepared. The most favourable temperatures are found along the Baltic coast, where many Muscovites decamp for balmy summer holidays, whilst the site of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sochi, also doubles as a beach resort, due to its tropical climate, earning it the epithet ‘Florida of Russia’. Minus the overly tanned pensioners of course.

While the notion of visiting a snow-blanketed Moscow or St Petersburg has a definite romance, most tourists prefer to come calling in the warm summer months of June, July and August. This means the “shoulder seasons” of April, May, September and October are good options for visitors keen to avoid the peak crowds – prices are generally lower from September to May, and tourist sites almost invariably less crowded. Spring is often characterised by slushy roads. And if your heart’s set on that winter wonderland? December’s the best bet. Seasonal climates apply elsewhere in Russia – Siberia can have devastatingly cold winters, while its summers are generally fairly pleasant, if a little rainy. The region of Russia near the Black Sea has mild winters, but again attracts a fair amount of rain.

Flight and accommodation

Phone calls & Internet

Telephone/Mobile Telephone

Dialing Code: +7

Telephone

When dialling the Russian Federation from abroad, the 0 of the area code must not be omitted. Most Moscow hotels have telephone booths with IDD. For long-distance calls within the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States), dial 8 then wait for the dial tone before proceeding with the call. Collect calls, calls placed using credit cards and calls from direct dial telephones in hotels can be extremely expensive. International calls can be made from phones in the street and phonecards are available from many shops and kiosks in the street. For enquiries regarding Moscow private telephone numbers dial 09; for businesses, dial 927 0009.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. All major cities are covered by at least one operator. Handsets can be hired from some companies and local SIM cards are easily purchased for use within Russia if you have an unlocked handset.

Internet

Wi-Fi is available within most hotels in larger cities (although they may charge) and at internet cafes. Most connections will be either via dial up or broadband. Although Russia does not ostensibly censor the internet, there is an internet blacklist of sites which you will not be able to visit from inside Russia, which includes some independent news sites.

Flight and accommodation

Shopping in Moscow

Russians have a deserved reputation as shopaholics, and the city is awash with markets, department stores, boutiques and malls, including the iconic GUM shopping centre beside Red Square. In the centre, Tverskaya ulitsa is the most glamorous shopping strip, while the Arbat district is the place to pick up a souvenir matryoshka doll.

Markets

Few people do the weekly shop at GUM. Instead, Muscovites flock to the city’s rynok (markets) for everything from fashions and food to Chinese thermos flasks and Central Asian carpets. Close to Partizanskaya metro station, Izmailovo Market sells everything from Soviet-era trinkets and fur ushanka hats to electronics and fishing rods. For delicious Russian foodstuffs, head to the bustling Dorogomilovsky Market (Mozhaysky ulitsa val) or Danilovsky Market (Mytnaya ulitsa).

Shopping Centres

Oligarchs and opera stars shop for glitzy brands at the famous GUM shopping centre next to Red Square, known as the State Department Store in Soviet times. For champagne, cigars, perfume and diamonds, visit TSUM (formerly Central Universal Department Store) on Teatralnaya ploshchad, or mingle with the millionaires on shimmering Tretyakovsky Proezd. For less ostentatious purchases, modern malls abound – try Metropolis (Leningradskoe shosse), Atrium (Zemlyanoy Val ulitsa 33) or Europeisky (Kievskogo Vokzala 2 ploshchad).

Flight and accommodation

Traveller etiquette

Social Conventions

It is customary to shake hands when greeting someone, though never across a threshold. Company or business gifts are well received; if you’re invited to someone’s home do bring a token gift, but avoid clearing your plate when eating; leaving some food is considered as a good sign.

Conservative wear is suitable for most places – women will need to cover shoulders and wear long skirts to enter an orthodox church – and the seasonal weather should always be borne in mind. Smoking and drinking is acceptable unless stated otherwise.

Russian society is still highly patriarchal and hierarchical; this may be reflected in chivalrous acts (men holding doors open for women for example) but it may also mean that women are taken less seriously, and engaging in ‘unfeminine’ behaviour may be interpreted wrongly, although being a visitor may get you some leeway.

Be careful with gestures – in Russia, giving the ‘thumbs up’ sign is an insult not an ‘OK’.

Photography

It is prohibited to take photographs of any military installation and/or establishments or sites of strategic importance. Failure to abide by this could result in police arrest.

Flight and accommodation

Health

Main emergency number: 112

Food & Drink

In general, Russia does not pose any serious health risks when it comes to food. Use common sense and caution when deciding what might be safe to eat. Tap water is drinkable, although those with sensitive stomachs may want to stick to bottled water. Similarly, some may want to make sure that water used for brushing teeth or making ice has been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Be mindful that eating salads may have vegetables washed in tap water; you may want to stick to well-cooked meals for the duration of your stay. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other Risks

Vaccinations are sometimes recommended for Japanese B encephalitis, meningococcal meningitis and tick-borne encephalitis.